Electric burglar alarm system



Dec. 22, 1953 o. c. CUNDIFF 2,663,864 ELECTRIC BURGLAR ALARM SYSTEMFiled June 29, 1951 I7- I7 l2 )2 l2 HE A 4 H /8 ,8 O /O ATTORNEY.

Patented Dec. 22, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ELECTRIC BURGLARALARM SYSTEM Olaf C. Cundifl, Detroit, Mich. Application June .29, 1951,Serial No. 234,170

This invention relates to electric signal systems and more particularlyto an improved alarm system for use in stores and similar institutionsin cases of holdups. v

Burglar alarm systems are well-known in the art and are extensivelyused.Such systems are intended to give audible and often visible alarm signalwhen burglars break into a locked store, opening a window or a door andthus actuating an electric switch. Numerous systems of such a naturehave been installed, and they operate successfully for thepurposesintended. It was found, however, that such systems are totallyinadequate when a holdup takes place during working hours. In suchcases, the bandits usually enter thestore as customers and having slowlyapproachedthe cashier quickly surprise him or her, covering at the sametime the customers that may be present in. the store. It is clear thatunder such circumstances, the burglar alarm system that may be installedin the store is not actuated by the burglars and no alarm issoundedautomatically. However, should one of the employees or customersfindit possible to actuate or operate a switch of such a burglar alarm,the sound of the alarm resulting therefrom makes it clear to the banditsthat the holdup is a failure, and that they must escape immediately orbe caughtv or killed. Under such conditions any suspicious move by thecashier or by any of the customers may invite immediate shooting. Onemay read nearly every day newspaper accounts of such occurrences.

I have come to the realization that handling of holdups and the use ofconventional burglar alarm systems therefore is totally erroneous, and

that it results in heavy toll of human life and limb every year. Itshould be distinctly-appreciated that killings occurring in the processof holdups, while being legally classifiable as murders, usually are notpredetermined and are mainly the natural result of accidents,excitement, fear of being caught or shot, or misunderstanding by abandit of some innocent move made by a person present at scene of aholdup. The above is particularly true in cases of inexperienced banditssuch as teen-agers, who may attempt a holdup for the sake of thrill, notrealizing fully what may be involved or develop. Having started aholdup, a youth holding a loaded gun in his shaking hands completelyloses his head when he sees that he is about to be caught, and pullingof the trigger on his part may be involuntary or even convulsive.

An additional cause of numerous unnecessary killings that occur early inthe process of holdups is found-also to be the result of the most unwiseattempts on the part of victims to resist armed bandits, particularlywhen the bandit appears'to be a scared'youth. Many small store- 1 Claim.(Cl. 340274) keepers lost their lives in such attempts. It is my beliefthat publicitygivento rare successful attempts to disarma banditholdingup a'store or a similarinstitution is very harmful, to public interest,since it encourages such resistance which is very dangerous. Besidesendangering the 'life' of the resistingperson, such resistance invites agrave crime, which while not being intentional as a matter of fact, isconsidered intentional and classified as murderas a matter'of lawinorder to protect the public. Ifkilling occurs, itto t ally ruins thelife of ayouth'by subjecting him to heavy penalties of the law, for whatas a matter of fact was the resultof excitement andunfortunate chain ofcircumstances. I Instances are known where newspaperfstories' of a girlcashier or a storekeeper disarming a teen-aged bandit, werefollowedseveral days later by accounts of a father of many children killed by ateen-ager bandit who later voluntarily surrendered to the police. 1; l i1 One of the objects of the present invention is to provide an improvedholdup alarm system whereby. the above difficulties and disadvantagesare overcome and largelyeliminated, and unnecessary loss of human life,as well as ruining" livesof a greatnumber of r youngpersons by invitingor hastening crimes are eliminated. p

' Another object" of, the present inventionisto provide animprovedholdup signal system where: by the signal isgiv'en in amanner not noticeable to the bandit andth alarm is sounded or otherwise given withoutthis fact becoming known to the bandit, thereby'enabling the police toarrive at the doors of the holdups'tore without the bandit appreciatingthat the alarm has been given and the holdup is discovered. l l A stillvfurther object of the invention is to provide. an improved'holdup signalor alarm syse term with the aid-of whichholdups can be liquidatedspeedily and safely,,with lessdanger. to the store-keepers, to thepolice and even to bandits, and without inviting unnecessary killings'that now constantly take placef A still further object. of the presentinvention is to provide an improvedholdup signal system which greatlydecreases chances of a successful holdup,vandw hich bythe mere fact ofits being known to be in existence or installed in some, places, has astrong deterring effect on would-be bandits, particularly er young age}It is an added object of the present inventionto provide animprovedsi'gnalsysternof the fore-" going'nature, which is simple'inconstruction: dependable in operation and iislrelati'vely ihexpens iveto manufactureandto maintain. 3

Further objects and tion will be apparent" from the followingdescription and appended claim, reference being had ath @mmn advantagesof' this invertdrawings forming a "part

